The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1887-06-19
DECEPTION.

by rain and tempest, Wnere they nad
drifted up around the steps,; the ampelop-
sis vine which garlanded the old tower
had lost its scarlet glows in the cold touch
of snow and frost; the cedars shudder in
the blast. For Keppel Tower was on
commanding hill, which, although de-
lightful enough in summer, was not with
out its advantagesin the month of Deem
ber
Mr. Keppel had been absent for three
months now, and this was his first ONE
coming since he had returned from Paris
His mothers eyes frightened as she
stood-a commanding figure in black satin
and rich old Mechlin lace-beside the fire
in the grand drawing room, with one hand
on the gold-headed cane, which was her
constant support, the other extended to-
ward him.
You are back again., she said. 'Oh,
Hugh, thought you never would return
to me-"
The room was very pretty. with the
cheerful freight Pickering on the blue
and white tiles of the chimney piece, the
curtains of wine-colored plush, and decor
ations of old ribbon, ancient brass and art
embroidery, In all these things he recog-
nized Alice Amadine's taste-the TASTE of
the distant cousin who had always lived
with Mrs. Keppel since he (Hugb) was a
boy. They had grown up together in fact,
and Mrs. Keppel had made no secret of
her earnest wish that Hugh might eventu-
ally marry Alice.
But Hugh Keppel, with all a mans per-
versty, had rather chosen to fall in love
with MyrleV ennor, the blue eyed daught-
ar of the old Judge who lived in the pretty
country house two miles down the river
To be sure-which was some comfort to
Mrs Keppel-there was no regular en-
gagement, but every one knew that the
young people liked one another.
Don't mind, aunty, DEAR" said Alice
AmadiDe, with her gracious smile and
slow, musical accents. Love can neither
be bound in letters nor driven in harness.
Myrtle Vennor is a sweet girl, and no
doubt everything is for the best."
My love-" said Mrs. Keppel, kissing
Alice's rich brunette cheek, you are an
angel, and how. Hugh can be so blind is
far beyond my comprehension.
81 can endure anything so long as you
love me" said Alice Amadine effusiv5ly
returning the caress.
Alice was as beautiful as ever in her
-garnet-red gown, with cardinal roses in
her hair, and she smiled her greeting; and
presently they were seated at the little
round table at tea, by the softened light of
a student lamp.
HAnd how are thcVennors?' said Hugh,
after be had enquired after everyone else,
vaguely hoping that Alice or his mother
would mention the. subject without his
suggestive question.
"Oh," smiled Alice, carefully measur
ing out the exact number of drops of
thick cream which Mrs. Keppel liked in
her tea, "the Vennors are very gay this
season. They are to remain at the Grange
until Twelfth Night, and there are all
sorts of balls and parties ans festivities
going on. And the last time was at Miss
Terrance's, the dressmaker, saw Myrlles
wedding dress being made"
cher wedding dress?" echoed Hugh
s'And, oh" said Alice, still intent on the
duties of the table, sit was such beauty.
Old white brocade trimmed with lace that
must have been perfectly priceless, and
white velvet tablier front breadth. Aunsy,
will you have some preserved cherries?
And there were flowers embroidered in
seed pearl on the sashes, too utterly lovely
to describe. Are theYennors SO very rich,
Hugh?'
Then she is going to he married?" he
exc AIMED, gnawing f1ercely at his lower
lip. Myrtle Vennor-I could not have
believed it, and never to tell mep
Alice Amadine laughed softly
''Dear me, Hughl'' said she, ',as if girl
confided that sort of secrets to her mis-
, cellaneous gentlemen friends. And Myr-
tie Vennor always belonged to the secret
i've kind, you know
WHO is he?" he asked, hoarsely. The
man, mean"
Glow am to know" said Alice, art
lessly. Colonel Fitz Urse has been stay
ing at the Grange all the autumn, and
Doctor Fennimore, from New York
comes there often; and there's Mr. At
water, and those two young Yale collie
gians, and-oh, dear, Myrtle is very cay
this season!"
Hugh sat silently looking into the fire.
The poisoned arrow had sped to its desti
nation as Alice Amadine well knew. All
tue life and animation had gone out of
him that night: and when he had departed
to his loom in the centrel roundtcwer,
where the windows looked out on The
surging tops of the cedar grove, Alice
laughed exu' tingly.
Dear auntie," said she, 'fdo not look
so grave, 1t isn't pleasant to take a dose
OF qunine, but one feels so much better
quinine to poor, dear Hughp'
'Alice," said the old lady, 'tdo you think
we have done right? Isis not this like
deceit?"
Where is the deceit?" lightly question
ed Miss Amadine. II did see The we'd
ding dress dida't 1? The very one that
Myrtle's mother wore when she was mar
riei, and that Myrtle herself is to wear
next New Years week. Aunty sou know
as we'll as I do that Hugh would never
have been happy with that silly, frivolous
little Myrtle Vennor."
mo" SAID Mrs. Keppel slowly. 81 do
not believe that he would. Oh, Alice, it is
my hope and my prayer that he may mar
ry YOU"
Wait said Alice composedly smooth